Internally, this gaming conscious smartphone is powered by the combination of its 1GHz Snapdragon processor with Adreno 205 GPU and 512MB of RAM. Even though it’s no longer considered to be the fastest thing on the block, we’re content by its responsive operation in handling basic and advanced tasks.

Rather than finding a stock Android 2.3 Gingerbread experience, like what’s found with Verizon’s version, the Xperia PLAY 4G chooses to use the Sony Ericsson UX Android interface used by the original European GSM model. Naturally, there are plenty of eye-catching visuals with its presentation to perfectly accompany a “PlayStation phone,” but we’re still presented with all of the rich aspects of Android in general.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G chooses to use the Sony Ericsson UX Android interface

On the gaming side, the handset’s focus is profoundly felt, as we’re able to play games like Asphalt 6, Crash Bandicoot, Dungeon Defenders: Second Wave, Madden NFL 2011, Star Battalion, TBloxx My City, and The Sims 3. Being a PlayStation certified device, it can run some exclusive titles, including original PS1 games. Thanks primarily to its gaming pad, the experience is undeniably suitable as we’re able to play all games with a great deal of responsiveness.

Games for the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G

Camera and Multimedia:

It’s hard to say why, especially when the original model fared well in snapping photos, but we’re not impressed by the results offered to us by the Xperia PLAY 4G. Specifically, images are muddy looking, lack distinguishable details, and indoor shots tend to be fuzzy looking.

Camera interface

Camera samples made with the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G

Strong

Medium

Low light

3ft

5ft

7ft

Indoor samples

Still lacking 720p video capture, there’s nothing pretty with the VGA (640 x 480) videos that it’s able to shoot. Although we like its clear audio recording and smooth capture, details are lacking tremendously.

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G Sample Video:

Using the same music player found with other Xperia devices, it’s straightforward and to the point with its layout – though, it retains the same 10 equalizer settings as before. Clear and crisp sounding, we’re content with the tunes being blasted by the handset’s stereo speakers.

Music player

Again, the handset flexes its muscles, as it’s able to perfectly play a video encoded in DivX 1280 x 720 resolution without any hiccups.

Internet and Connectivity:

Finding the “4G” branding in its name, data speeds aren’t all that different from 3G devices as we’re able to get average results of 4Mbit/s down and 1.5Mbits/s up. With the overall web browsing experience, it’s able to handle Flash heavy sites with relative ease.

The browser of the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G handles Flash heavy sites with relative ease

Global traveler can jet their way to any part of the globe with this GSM smartphone, since it’ll work with most networks abroad. Meanwhile, it packs other connectivity features like 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and aGPS.

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. You can order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers at https://www.parsintl.com/phonearena or use the Reprints & Permissions tool that appears at the bottom of each web page. Visit https://www.parsintl.com/ for samples and additional information.